I never used to look at the term soldier and warrior as two different people, two different meanings, but after the past few weeks I am noticing a significance difference. While a soldier isn’t less important, less needed or lower than a warrior, a warrior possesses traits I want to strive for. I want to be a soldier that matures into a warrior. I want to “sign on to be more than a soldier”. I want to be tempered until I am the warrior God designed me to be. I looked up the term tempering because to be honest I’ve only really heard it in reference to chocolate (which I feel is one of God’s food choices for us women warriors).
Tempering may refer to:
- Tempering (metallurgy), a heat treatment, technique for metals and alloys
- A process for producing tempered glass
- Chocolate tempering, a method of increasing the shine and durability of chocolate covertures
Like Lisa said “the processing of tempering may not be pleasant or quick”. But imagine the outcome. Imagine being the warrior woman who not only sees what our enemy is doing, but one who can follow God’s lead into battles with his promises in our hearts.
2 Kings 6:16-17
So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Imagine walking into battles without the “blinding fear” that has stopped us in the past. Imagine walking into battles, big and small, private and public, wanting to give our all, wanting to be an example for others, wanting to be different than those around us.
The example of Elisha instructing the King not to slaughter his enemies, but instead to honor them and gift them with a feast was surprising to me, but it made sense. A warrior isn’t quick to teach a lesson, they aren’t quick to avenge a wrong done. But in the right situations they are compelled to offer grace, and compassion. They are compelled to show God’s love, they are led by God to do what is needed when it is needed, whether it is to offer grace, or to stand up and fight.
When we see a “lion with a lamb in his mouth”, when we see an area where we can make a difference, an area where we can bless others, an area where God’s love can shine through us, we as warriors need to seize the opportunity. We need to face each day, each task, and each battle with the perspective of more than just a soldier; we need to face these with the perspective of a warrior. We need to allow ourselves to be tempered. We need to step back and allow God to mold us into the warriors He desires us to be, and to be the David’s and Jonathon’s of our time.
Let’s ask ourselves ladies:
Let’s Pray:
Lord I pray that we walk with Your promises in Romans 8:31, I pray that we believe that no one, or nothing can be against us when You are for us. I pray that You open our eyes to see those standing behind us when we need it. I pray that we become more than soldiers, and that we desire to be more and do more. Thank You Lord for this task, and thank You for Your guidance. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
About Tonya Ellison
Psalm 121:1–I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip-He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you-the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm–He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Tonya, I really liked your statement, “They are compelled to show God’s love,they are led by God to do what is needed when it is needed, whether it is to offer grace, or to stand up and fight.” As Lisa said, “all warriors know they ultimately answer to an unseen Lord who is maker of Heaven and earth…there is no need to number the enemy when you have a revelation of who fights with you…realize you are not limited to what is…Lift your eyes and open your heart…discern more than your circumstances…glimpse what God wants to do.”
I say a big “amen” to your prayer today. Thank you.
I love the Scripture reference. “Lift your eyes and open your heart”. This is such an important statement, I think we as women need to do this more, when we face battles we need to do so with an open heart, ready for guidance and direction, and with our eyes lifted yo the One who is going to offer that guidance. Thank you Clella!
I agree with you, Tonya – -I never separated the word soldier and warrior – -to me it was the same. This helped me clear it up. Great post and to the point.
oh, tonya…when we hold God’s truths in our hearts, such as “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” we live in the freedom and victory that Jesus has already prepared for us! thanks for your words today…very encouraging! xo <3
Isn’t a blessing to know that our path has already been paved? We can look ahead and know without a doubt that God will be victorious. ♥
My Husband works with metals and took a metallurgy class. I asked him about tempering. He said that it is always about bringing the metals back to normal. The normal state could be liquid or a solid state? In tempering metals you could heat them or even freeze them to achieve the process.
I thought about that answer the Lord knows how each one us needs to be tempered to be warriors for HIM.Open our hearts to you Lord so we can be your instrument.
I also liked how Elisha prayed that the young mans eyes would be opened to see the miracle. Open our eyes Lord so we can see the miracles you have for each of us.
I believe that in the spiritual realm ,”normal” is the way God originally created us to be. So like you said, Lorraine, the Lord knows how we need to be tempered so we can get to the state of normal that He intended for each of us from before the Beginning. The process won’t always be comfortable but normal in God’s hands will be–perfect!
Very cool information, thank you! God will temper us how we need to be for Him. Each may need something different but it is all in preparation to become who He wants us to be.
“We need to step back and allow God to mold us into the warriors He desires us to be, and to be the David’s and Jonathon’s of our time”. I LOVE THIS BLOG POST!!!! GREAT job Tonya!!!